Amlici

Amlici was a cunning and wise man who arose shortly after Mosiah had established the rule of the judges in the land of the Nephites (Alma 2:1) [1]. He drew away many people after him and they began to endeavor to establish Amlici as king over the people (Alma 2:2) [2]. Alma reveals that Amlici’s true intent was to destroy the church of God (Alma 2:4) [3].

The matter of Amlici becoming king was put to a vote, and the voice of the people came against him, refusing to make him king (Alma 2:7) . This angered Amlici and his followers, who then consecrated him as their king (Alma 2:9) . Amlici then commanded his followers to take up arms against their Nephite brethren (Alma 2:10) .

The Amlicites and Nephites met in battle “upon the hill Amnihu, which was east of the river Sidon, which ran by the land of Zarahemla” (Alma 2:15) . The Nephites, led by Alma, were able to slay over 12,500 Amlicites, while losing 6,562 of their own (Alma 2:19) .

Alma later confronted Amlici in hand-to-hand combat and, calling upon the Lord, was able to slay him (Alma 2:29-31) [29-31]. The Amlicites then joined forces with the Lamanites, but were ultimately defeated by the Nephites (Alma 2:24-35) [24-35].

In the end, the Amlicites were scattered and many died in the wilderness, their bones being found and heaped up (Alma 2:36-38) [36-38].

Learn more:

1. Alma 2
2. Chapter 21: The Amlicites
3. The Book of Mormon